A more robust foreign policy initiative is required for India to be seen as a serious player in the future of Afghanistan. Building dams and roads has ensured its presence as a partner in rebuilding the country, but its conservative handling of Afghan issues must be challenged, perhaps by following the Iran route, to push forward its geostrategic interests.

Kabul Diary is a compilation of experiences and observations by Gateway House’s Rajeshwari Krishnamurthy, who is visiting Afghanistan. In her second entry, she writes about the omnipresence of the ‘India’ factor and the goodwill that New Delhi has in Kabul.

As a neighbour, India has legitimate interests in Myanmar, especially for peace and progress in its North East. More recently though, the Myanmarese are looking to imbibe democratic values from India, learn about regulations, banking systems, commodities exchanges, media councils, software and telecom skills

India’s governance and newest social revolution, led by the country’s youth and middle class, is being watched by the world. But will the incumbent government be able to respond with emotion and convert the movement into tangible policies and institutionalise them? Manjeet Kripalani blogs

Zimbabwe is an exciting country, still in bud but about to bloom, much like the beautiful blue jacaranda trees in Harare’s Liberty Park. Shipra Tripathi, one of India’s leading experts on Africa, was in the country last month in her new position as Vice President - International Business for Kirloskar Brothers.